GIVE Befriending
Coming Soon 💙
GIVE Befriending is a new telephone-based service offering regular companionship, conversation and a listening ear to adults experiencing loneliness, isolation or reduced social connection.
The service will be available to anyone aged 18 and over who lives in Surrey.
Sometimes, having someone to talk to can make all the difference.
We're getting ready to launch
Our Befriending Service is coming soon, and we're currently putting everything in place to make sure the service is safe, supportive and meaningful for both our volunteers and the people we support.
The service isn't open for regular befriending matches just yet, but you can contact us now.
Become a Volunteer Telephone Befriender with GIVE
Could you help someone feel less alone?
​​We're looking for kind, compassionate and reliable volunteers to join GIVE's new Befriending Service and help adults across Surrey feel more connected to their communities.
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Loneliness can affect anyone, at any stage of life. Sometimes, knowing there's someone who will take the time to listen, share a conversation and check in regularly can make a real difference.
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What does being a befriender involve?
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Making a regular weekly telephone call to your befriendee, aiming for around an hour.
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Offering companionship, conversation and a listening ear.
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Building a consistent, supportive connection over time.
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Helping someone feel heard, valued and less alone.
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Respecting confidentiality, maintaining appropriate boundaries and following GIVE's guidance.
Who can volunteer?
You don't need previous befriending experience, counselling qualifications or a background in mental health. We're looking for people who are:
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Kind, patient and non-judgmental.
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Good listeners who are comfortable talking to people from different backgrounds.
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Reliable and committed to regular weekly calls.
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Respectful of other people's experiences, choices and perspectives.
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Willing to undertake the relevant induction, training and ongoing support.
What commitment is involved?
The role is telephone-based, with a commitment of approximately one hour per week.
As befriending relies on building trust and consistency, we're looking for volunteers who can commit to the relationship over time.
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Interested in volunteering?
Our Befriending Service is coming soon, but we're already welcoming enquiries from people who would like to get involved.
If you'd like to make a difference in someone's life through a regular conversation and a little of your time, we'd love to hear from you.
Referrals & enquiries for GIVE's new telephone Befriending service
Referrals and Enquiries
Think befriending could help someone you know?
GIVE Befriending is being developed to support adults aged 18 and over who live in Surrey and are experiencing loneliness, social isolation or reduced social connection.
Loneliness can happen at any stage of life and for many different reasons. Someone might be experiencing a period of change, adjusting to a new chapter in life, have lost social connections, be spending more time alone, or simply feel that they don't have someone to talk to regularly.
Our Befriending Service will provide a regular, friendly telephone connection with a trained volunteer — offering companionship, conversation and a listening ear.
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Who can make an enquiry?
We're happy to hear from:
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Adults who are interested in accessing the service themselves
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Family members or friends who think someone they know could benefit
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Health and social care professionals
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Mental health and community organisations
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Other services or professionals supporting someone in Surrey
You don't need to be certain that befriending is the right support. If you're unsure, get in touch and we can talk through the service with you.
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What happens after an enquiry?
Our Befriending Service is coming soon, so regular befriending matches have not started yet.
However, we're already welcoming referrals and enquiries while we prepare for launch.
When the service is ready, people who may benefit will go through an initial assessment so that we can understand their circumstances, needs and expectations and consider whether befriending is an appropriate and safe form of support.
If appropriate, we'll then work towards matching them with a suitable volunteer.
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Please note: Befriending is a non-clinical service providing companionship and social connection. It is not a counselling, therapy, crisis or emergency service and is not intended to replace professional or statutory support.
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Want to find out more?
Whether you're considering befriending for yourself, supporting someone else, or would simply like to understand more about the service, we'd be happy to hear from you.​
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